Before the Philippines gained the status of a republic, it was a colony of Spain in the 16th century.
Yes, you are correct. The Philippines used to be a colony of Spain in the 16th century before gaining its status as a republic. As a high school student, it would be beneficial for you to deepen your knowledge about the history and culture of the Philippines by reading books or learning about the different significant events in its history. This will help you understand the country's current state and its place in the world.